Cybersecurity threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making it all the more essential for antivirus software to stay one step ahead. While there’s no shortage of free antivirus providers, many offer inadequate protection against the wide range of cyber threats, including malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks. If you don’t want to be vulnerable, you need a free antivirus that provides effective protection.
Our in-depth testing of various free antivirus providers has helped us find the very best available. Our thorough evaluation involved identifying free antivirus solutions that not only do the basics well but remain easy to use and have a low impact on system resources. We’ll also cover how to get started with your new free antivirus, discuss our methodology, and cover some of the most commonly asked questions. If you are in a rush, you will find a shortlist of our top picks below.
The best free antivirus in 2024:
- Avast One Basic: The best free antivirus. Real-time threat detection including ransomware protection for your files. Free VPN with decent data allowance. Available for all major operating systems.
- Avira Free Antivirus: Includes ransomware protection and is packed with features including an antivirus as well as a VPN (limited data) and password manager.
- Bitdefender Antivirus Free: Lightweight but provides comprehensive protection. Easy to use and with live customer support included.
- AVG Antivirus Free: Protects against a wide range of threats and keeps you safe online with an email scanner and web browsing shield. Offers desktop and mobile apps.
- Microsoft Defender Antivirus: Already built into Windows, providing protection from viruses, ransomware, and more. Fairly clearly laid out and therefore easy to use.
- Malwarebytes Free: An easy to use malware removal tool which includes a 14-day free trial of Premium. Ideally combined with another antivirus that offers real-time protection.
Criteria for the best free antivirus
Free software can come with various pitfalls, be it a lack of protection, too many ads, data logging, or poor performance. We compiled a shortlist of key features we wanted to see in a free antivirus for it to qualify for this list. Here’s what those selected have in common:
- Comprehensive protection: Detects and removes various types of malware.
- Performance: Minimal impact on system performance to avoid significant slowdowns.
- Ease of use: Simple setup as well as a user-friendly user interface.
- Regular updates: Protects you from the latest threats through frequent updates.
- Genuinely free: Free forever with no limitations such as being a free trial.
Best free antivirus in 2024
Here’s our list of the best free antivirus programs:
1. Avast One Basic
Avast One Basic protects your device from viruses, using real-time intelligence to detect threats and stop them in their tracks. Unlike many other free antivirus programs, ransomware protection for your personal files is included. This ensures hackers can’t access and lock them and potentially hold you to ransom. Avast One Basic also automatically blocks dangerous downloads and sites.
Overall, it offers far more features than the average free antivirus. What’s particularly impressive is that it includes a free VPN with 5 GB of data per week, which is plenty for browsing, albeit not for streaming. Avast One Basic only covers one device and lacks the email and shopping protection provided by its paid plans. Still, there’s plenty to like, considering it’s free.
Avast One Basic provides apps for the following: Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.
Pros:
- Excellent antivirus lab scores
- Ransomware protection for files
- VPN with respectable data allowance
Cons:
- Only protects one device
- Lacks the advanced firewall of the paid version
RANSOMWARE PROTECTION:Avast One Basic includes ransomware protection for your files. Its free VPN comes with a weekly 5 GB data cap (more than many free VPNs), providing an extra layer of protection on top of the antivirus.
Read our full Avast One Antivirus review.
2. Avira Free Antivirus
Avira Free Security is particularly impressive when you consider what’s included. Not only do you have access to real-time antivirus protection, it includes a free VPN and password manager. The Cloud-based protection constantly monitors your system and does so in the background. A software updater ensures attackers can’t take advantage of outdated software.
Of course, some limitations exist, such as the lack of a tracker remover. Further, the free VPN limits you to just 500 MB a month, which isn’t much. If you’re looking for ransomware protection or a VPN without limits, then consider the paid plan. The apps couldn’t be easier to navigate with a simple sidebar laying out all of the various options.
Apps can be downloaded for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.
Pros:
- Excellent results in lab tests
- Includes a VPN and password manager
- Offers ransomware protection
Cons:
- Very limited VPN data allowance
- No tracker removal
EXCELLENT TESTING SCORES:Avira Free Security has no shortage of extras including a VPN and password manager. Cloud-based antivirus protection and also offers a software updater. Very easy to use thanks to simply laid out apps which include dark and light modes.
Read our full Avira Free Security review.
3. Bitdefender Antivirus Free
Bitdefender Antivirus Free stands out for being particularly lightweight despite its high protection level. It is completely free with no hidden costs and no time limits, and you can use it on up to three devices. Bitdefender Antivirus Free runs quietly in the background, actively monitoring your system to detect and isolate threats as they occur in real-time. The apps are very easy to navigate and don’t bombard you with alerts, either.
Bitdefender Antivirus Free stands out from many other free antivirus offerings because it provides live customer support, making it easy to get help should any issues crop up. While it can keep you safe from various threats, including ransomware, trojans, and malicious websites, it lacks a few nice-to-have features of the paid version, such as the ability to block web trackers.
You can find Bitdefender Antivirus Free apps for Windows, Android, and MacOS.
Pros:
- Use it on up to three devices
- Strong antivirus protection
- User-friendly interface
Cons:
- No option to block web trackers
BEST FREE ANTIVIRUS:Bitdefender offers very strong, real-time protection for a free antivirus yet doesn’t put heavy strain on your system. Unusually, it includes customer support which makes it particularly suitable for antivirus novices.
Read our full Bitdefender Antivirus review.
4. AVG Antivirus Free
AVG Antivirus Free doesn’t just protect you from viruses. It provides free protection from threats, including spyware and trojan horses too. The app’s interface couldn’t be quicker or easier to use. It’s all very simply laid out so you don’t have to waste time trying to work it all out. Of course, the apps receive regular, real-time updates, ensuring they stay on top of emerging threats.
Particularly impressive is the fact that AVG’s free antivirus includes a basic email scanner (Email Shield). This ensures comprehensive protection for everyday online activities. Support is limited to a community forum and FAQs as with most free antivirus solutions. If you do want live chat or phone support, then opt for a paid subscription.
You can secure all of your Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices with AVG Antivirus Free.
Pros:
- Good number of features
- Genuinely free (not a trial)
- Decent detection rates
Cons:
- Limited support
- Only covers one device
EMAIL PROTECTION:AVG Antivirus Free safeguards from a wide range of malware threats. Easy to use apps with regular updates to stay ahead of new threats. Excellent online option thanks to email scanner feature and web browsing shield.
Read our full AVG Antivirus Free review.
5. Microsoft Defender Antivirus
Microsoft Defender Antivirus is unique in that you don’t need to install it on your Windows device. It’s already available and ready to protect you from viruses, trojans, ransomware, and more. When you open up Microsoft Defender Antivirus, you’ll find it all self-explanatory. It provides a series of icons, including virus and threat protection, Firewall and network protection, and Device performance and health.
With Microsoft Defender, you’ll get real-time protection from threats, which is reflected in its respectable lab test scores. Despite this, there are better options out there that are easier to use and offer a greater variety of features. However, if you need some form of antivirus protection and time to research other options, Microsoft Defender Antivirus is a perfectly suitable starter solution. Read our guide to free antivirus for Windows for other options.
Microsoft Defender Antivirus comes pre-installed on Windows devices running Windows 10 and 11.
Pros:
- Already built into Windows
- Respectable lab scores
- Always on if you need it
Cons:
- Limited set of features
- Not quite as beginner-friendly
PRE-INSTALLED ON WINDOWS:Microsoft Defender Antivirus is already available on your Windows device and provides respectable protection even if it isn’t packed with additional features. It offers decent performance as shown in scores from independent testing labs.
Read our full Microsoft Defender Antivirus review.
6. Malwarebytes Free
Malwarebytes Free doesn’t provide real-time protection but it’s a very strong option if you already have a virus on your device. It can also be used in conjunction with another antivirus solution that has real-time protection. Malwarebytes Free is capable of removing not only viruses but other forms of malware including ransomware, spyware, and Trojans.
Notably, you’ll get 14 days free access to the Premium version of Malwarebytes when you first use it. When this expires you’ll be automatically reverted to the free version which doesn’t include a VPN or real-time protection. Browser Guard blocks malicious websites and trackers. The Malwarebytes app is simple to use too.
Malwarebytes Free provides apps for Windows, Mac, and Android.
Pros:
- Easy to use app
- Detects many types of malware
Cons:
- Doesn’t offer real-time protection
- Limited features (no VPN)
BEGINNER-FRIENDLY:Malwarebytes Free is very easy to use for beginners. The free version doesn’t include real-time protection, but it removes many types of malware. Optional malicious website and tracker blocking.
Read our full Microsoft Defender Antivirus review.
Antivirus testing methodology: How we found the best free antivirus
When assessing free antivirus software, it’s important for us to take into account several key factors to ensure that you have comprehensive protection while not having to compromise on overall usability. Here’s what we were looking for in a free antivirus:
- Malware detection and removal: We evaluate the effectiveness of each antivirus in detecting and removing different types of malware. This includes viruses, trojans, worms, and ransomware. We’ve coupled our testing with the results of multiple independent testing labs to measure the performance of each free antivirus.
- System impact: A quality antivirus should offer strong protection without significantly slowing your device. With this in mind, we look at how each free antivirus affects system performance during full scans as well as when they’re running in the background.
- Real-time protection: We’ve prioritized free antivirus software that provides real-time scanning. This blocks threats as they occur as opposed to detecting them during a scheduled scan when they may have already done damage.
- Ease of use: Whether this is your first time using an antivirus or you’re already very familiar with them, it’s still nice to have a free antivirus that’s easy to use with a beginner-friendly interface. This should make it simple for you to find your way around, adjust your settings, and understand exactly how you’re protected.
- Frequency of updates: It’s also important to consider how often a free antivirus updates its malware definitions and software to keep up with rapidly evolving threats. We’re looking for regular updates which should be automatic so you can have continued protection without constant interruption.
- Available features: Of course, free antivirus programs don’t typically offer as many features as their paid counterparts. However, it’s still important for us to consider any included features and how they enhance security. This may just tip the scales in one antivirus provider’s favor, depending on what you’re looking for.
Our antivirus testing methodology post further explains how we go about analyzing antivirus programs.
How to use a free antivirus
If you’re not familiar with how antivirus programs (free or paid) work, rest assured that the best of them make it easy to keep your device secure.
Here’s how to protect your device using a free antivirus:
- Start by selecting a reputable free antivirus program. As we’ve indicated in our reviews, we particularly recommend Avast One Basic.
- Visit the official website of the antivirus provider and click the download link for the free version of the software.
- Install the free antivirus software by following the on-screen prompts. You may be asked to provide permissions and agree to terms and conditions.
- The version of the free antivirus you’ve downloaded will almost certainly be the latest one. However, it’s still important to check for updates.
- Next, you’ll want to perform a full system scan to check all files and folders for threats. Be sure to follow any prompts to resolve any issues that have been identified.
Free antivirus: FAQs
What are some key features to look for in free antivirus software?
A free antivirus program ideally takes a proactive approach by offering real-time scanning, continuously monitoring your device for threats as they occur. Free versions should also include automatic updates for virus definitions. This ensures that the software can recognize and protect against the latest threats. Basic threat detection and removal are also key functions of free antivirus software. With all of these features, you’re likely to be much better protected.
How does free antivirus software differ from paid versions?
Free antivirus software provides basic protection against threats. This may be enough for some users, but it generally comes with some limitations, particularly when it comes to detecting newer, more sophisticated threats like ransomware. Paid versions may receive more regular updates, allowing them to better detect the latest threats.
Paid versions have a more comprehensive set of features, be it advanced malware detection, identity theft protection, or parental controls. Users of free antivirus programs are often limited to online help resources while paid versions include more support options such as live chat, email, and even phone support. Some antivirus programs also include ads.
Is free antivirus software safe to use?
Provided you download free antivirus software from a reputable source (and well known provider), it’s perfectly safe to use. By sticking with the best free antivirus providers as listed in this post, you can be sure that you’re using software from a well-known provider with a strong reputation. We recommend you only download antivirus software directly from a provider’s official website or from a trusted app store (Google Play or the Apple App Store).
Will an antivirus slow down my device?
Antivirus software can slow your device but the extent to which this happens depends on a few factors. Antivirus programs require a certain amount of CPU power and memory to work. Devices with more limited resources may slow down to a more noticeable degree, particularly during full system scans.
Quality antivirus programs minimize impact on system performance by optimizing how and when system resources are used. Antivirus software with extra features such as a firewall and email scanning can take up additional resources. You can minimize the impact your free antivirus program has on your device by setting up scans at convenient times when you’re less likely to be doing more resource-intensive tasks such as streaming or gaming.
